Tag Archives: connect

Best of Connect 2023

10Introducing the Bruin Promise

January Edition

Once a Bruin, Always a Bruin! UCLA is taking that a step further with a promise that educational opportunities available to students will also be made available to alumni. A new website has just launched that provides you with unlimited access to the University's vast resources and offerings. It's our commitment to be an enduring presence in the lives of alumni, enlightening Bruins through every stage of life.

9UCLA Applications for Fall 2023 Admission Remain at Near-Historic Highs

March Edition

UCLA has received more than 169,800 applications for fall 2023 admission, with approximately 145,900 coming from freshman applicants and nearly 24,000 from transfer applicants — making UCLA once again the most applied-to four-year university in the nation.

8UCLA Acquires Iconic Downtown L.A. Building, Fulfilling Its Decade-long Vision

August Edition

With the acquisition of the historic Trust Building in downtown Los Angeles, the University, which had long sought to expand its presence in the heart of the city, has taken another major step in broadening access to a UCLA education and strengthening its engagement with the city’s diverse and dynamic communities.

7Making Maroon 5, Losing It All, Finding Recovery

February Edition

In his own words, Ryan Dusick '01, the drummer and founding member of Kara's Flowers, which later became Maroon 5, takes us on an introspective journey on the highs and lows of pop stardom, his struggles with physical and mental health, and rising from the depths of addiction to a new purpose.

6Alumni Travel Further Adventures

February Edition

UCLA Alumni Travel proudly debuts this series of adventurous trips, an exciting way for Bruins who are active and curious to explore a destination’s culture, history and local life while also challenging themselves with exhilarating activities like hiking and zip-lining. Book your adventure today!

5UniCamp Devastated by Tropical Storm Hilary. Here's How You Can Help

October Edition

It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the closure of Camp River Glen after the site was ravaged by a 30-foot-tall flash flood from Tropical Storm Hilary. We are determined to provide our youth campers and student volunteer counselors with a summer program in 2024. We are working diligently to make this happen at an alternate campsite. Stay tuned for camp dates!

4Rest in Peace Powell Cat (2013-2023)

March Edition

Powell Cat was found dead outside Kaufman Hall on Thursday afternoon. Long considered an unofficial campus mascot, Powell Cat has resided at UCLA since around 2015. Their cause of death is unclear at this time.

3Randall Park '97 Commencement Speech

August Edition

Actor-comedian Randall Park gave one of his best performances at this year's UCLA College Commencement. He delivered a heartwarming message about kindness, while leaving the audience in stitches from his sarcastic wit and absurd stories. It was an instant classic you have to see for yourself.

2Come to Dinner

January Edition

Arrive as strangers, leave as friends. That's what happens when Bruins feast at dinner tables around the world for the annual Dinners for 12 Strangers gatherings. Alumni hosts are inviting you to join them for a night of food, fun and friendship. Sign up to attend a dinner near you!

1Bruin-Owned Restaurants Part 3

January Edition

As the summer sizzles, so should your food. We've compiled for you the third edition of select Bruin culinary businesses to tempt your taste buds and lure you to dine out in support of these UCLA alumni. Warning: the following images will make you hungry.

Recent Articles

Bruin-Owned Businesses: Gift Ideas 3

G

ive the gift that supports Bruin entrepreneurs! From stocking stuffers to experiential presents, these unique and eco-friendly gift ideas are a thoughtful and creative way to make someone's holiday bright. Be sure to scroll to the bottom and explore gift ideas from previous years.

Italian Olive Wood

Owners: Chris Arranaga ʼ82, MBA ʼ85, and Jen Arranaga ʼ95

Location: 4100 Flat Rock Drive, Riverside CA 92505

Phone: 951-353-8133

Website: https://italianolivewood.com/

Email: ciao@italianolivewood.com

About:

In 2021, co-founders Chris Arranaga and his wife Jen purchased a farmhouse that dates back to the early 1100s. Situated on a property that spans 17 acres and nurtures over 300 olive trees with about 4 acres of virgin forest, the property is located in the heart of Tuscany just outside of Florence, Italy. As the couple set about bringing the villa and property back to its former glory, they discovered a significant number of Italian olive wood trees that had fallen. They had the idea to share the beauty of that precious old wood with their friends and family back home and met with local artisans to hand-carve boards from these fallen trees.

Review:

"These olive wood serving boards are absolutely beautiful. I love that they are sourced sustainably and each is uniquely crafted by local Italian artisans. I have four and plan to use them for all manner of purposes - for charcuterie, cheese, chopping, and even as individual sandwich and chip plates. I bought them for gifts but am struggling with which ones to give and which to keep.” - Jayne B.

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa

Owner: Ariel Ben-Zeev, MBA ʼ00

Location: 11 Railroad Ave., Danville, CA 94526

Phone: 925-885-6040

Website: https://handandstone.com/

Email: spa@handandstone.com

Social: @handandstoneusa

About:

Our philosophy is simple. Consistently deliver the highest quality professional massage and facial services at affordable prices seven days a week. Guests entering Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa will be enveloped in soothing aromas and sounds while leaving behind the stress of deadlines of hectic schedules. Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa offers deluxe experiences perfect for both the spa beginner and seasoned veteran seven days a week with convenient hours. Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spas feature several treatment rooms, including private sanctuaries for couples.

Review:

“Professional, accommodating and friendly place. My masseuse Natasha will work on my painful areas with a little firmer massage if needed. Natasha is very detailed and focused on my sore areas while giving me a wonderful full-body massage in a very quiet and relaxing environment. My other masseuse Maricar is very thorough and also gives a relaxing massage. Both masseuses start on time and end on time and have never asked me to buy anything. This has been my go-to massage place for over four years and the place, Natasha & Maricar are one of the best! Highly recommend!” - K. W.

Rothstein Jewelers of Beverly Hills

Co-Owner: Janet Rothstein ʼ79

Location: 8950 W. Olympic Blvd. #209, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Phone: 310-858-3800

Website: https://www.rothsteinjewelers.com

Email: rothsteinjewelry@aol.com

Social: @rothsteinjewelers

About:

Rothstein Jewelers have been called the "best kept secret in Beverly Hills" and have 20 years of experience. They have custom-design engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, music and more. Come up to our store and become part of our family.

Review:

“Rothstein Jewelers is the place to go. They are helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, very reasonable, and most importantly, extremely trustworthy. My friends and I have been going to them for years. I have bought beautiful new jewelry, they have repaired and re-set jewelry, and they have even pierced my daughters’ ears. They always listen to what I want, and if they don't carry it, they'll either find it or have it made. Janet found a setting for me that she knew I would like. It was perfect and it didn’t cost a fortune, either. Janet takes the time to get to know the customers and make sure the customers are happy!” - Bonnie G.

Rise Academy of Dance

Owner: Nicole Cohen ʼ06

Location: 633A N. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Phone: 424-257-8946

Website: https://www.riseacademyofdance.com/

Email: RiseAcademyOfDance@gmail.com

Social: @rise_academy_dance

About:

This holiday, give the gift of dance! Enroll your loved ones in our recreational track for a fun experience of learning and improvement. For those aspiring to dance professionally, our pre-professional and competitive tracks will set the stage for a spectacular journey in the dance world. Regardless of the student's path, Rise Academy of Dance will provide high-quality instruction in a supportive environment that will allow each student to thrive in their own right. At Rise Academy of Dance, every student is given the attention they need to accomplish their dance goals. The studio offers a variety of dance styles for its students ranging in age from 2.5 years to adult, and creates a personalized path for each student to follow depending on their dance goals.

Review:

“Ms. Nicole is excellent (she comes with a pretty impressive dance résumé too). My daughter is learning great dance techniques and having so much fun while doing so. She is highly encouraging and caring towards all her students. I would recommend this studio. She specializes in jazz, mommy & me, cheer and is starting a competitive dance team.” - J D.

Blackbird General Store

Owner: Sharon Repass ʼ89

Location: 23504 Calabasas Road, Suite 2, Calabasas, CA 91302

Phone: 818-805-9205

Website: https://blackbirdgeneralstore.com/

Email: info@blackbirdgeneralstore.com

Social: @blackbirdgeneral

About:

Blackbird General Store is a modern general store established in October 2016. We are focused on unique, one-of-a-kind gifts and goods for the whole family. We feature a highly curated selection of apparel, jewelry, accessories, apothecaries, home goods, gifts, books, gourmet foods, sweets and so much more! Think of us as a hip, updated version of the “general store” concept of the past. We are a gift shop of exceptional quality and impeccable design, built upon a foundation of warmth and modernity. Here you will find something for everyone. We are specifically…general!

Review:

“This is the best little store if you're looking for gifts for someone, really anyone. They have all sorts of things from candles to unique items, to hats, to vintage T-shirts to baby gifts. The women are really nice and helpful. They do a great job wrapping everything so it's kind of a one-stop shop. I got a real Rolling Stones vintage T-shirt by Made Worn (which is really expensive typically) but it was 50% off in their store. Definitely check out this cute little store if you're in Calabasas” - Brittany F.

Studio SLB Lifestyle Photography

Owner: Shlomit Levy Bard ʼ94

Location: Mostly Southern California. Travel sessions available in Las Vegas, New York and San Diego.

Phone: 424-209-9149

Website: https://www.studioslbphoto.com/

Email: studioslbphoto@gmail.com

Social: @studioslb

About:

Founded by award-winning photojournalist Shlomit Levy Bard, Studio SLB Photography is a full-service custom photography boutique. We specialize in lifestyle portraiture, which is a hybrid of documentary-style and portrait photography, focusing on capturing the unique personalities and relationships of our clients. Shlomit's unassuming, relaxed approach enables her to bring out the best in the children, families and professionals she works with, and to put even her most camera-shy subjects (especially reluctant dads) at ease.

Review:

“Shlomit and her crew are professional and attentive to all of the details. They make the photo session fun and great photos are the result. Shlomit has a lot of ideas to help create the vision of the client. In this case, me! She understood what I wanted and needed. A great experience. Highly suggest!” - Michelle P.

Evolue Skincare

Owner: Jean Seo ʼ99

Location: 287 S. Robertson Blvd., Unit 363, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Website: https://evolue.com/

Email: info@evoluebeauty.com

Social: @evolueskincare

About:

Evolue was founded with a passionate, relentless spirit to heal the world from toxic skincare and to provide the best ingredients and results to everyone and anyone. Jean opened the very first eco-chic beauty boutique in 2007. Jean's Beverly Hills shop stocked the most popular green beauty brands, but her discerning Hollywood celebrity clients weren't satisfied with the results. So Jean researched what makes people age and formulated products with natural moisturizing factors that our body naturally produces but depletes with age.

Review:

“My experience with Evolué has been excellent in every aspect! Ever since I met the brand and they explained how my skin type worked, what products I needed and how to use them for deliveries they have been wonderful in my case! Always with 100% personalized attention, the products are a dream for my skin. I really recommend the brand 100%.” - Ana S.

Transplant Vintage

Owner: Laura Laubach ʼ22

Services: E-Commerce

Website: https://www.transplantvintage.com/

Email: hello@transplantvintage.com

Social: @transplantvintage

About:

Transplant Vintage celebrates the crème de la crème in vintage treasures. Immerse yourself in the allure of ʼ60s mod, the rebellious spirit of ʼ70s rock 'n' roll and the opulent glamour of the ʼ80s. At Transplant Vintage, we curate a collection that transcends mere clothing; it's an ode to an era marked by revolutionary cultural shifts. Our pieces encapsulate the essence of that moment when music became a movement and style that dared to challenge societal norms. It's more than just fashion; it's an homage to your favorite Stones album, a glimpse of your mom's college days and the echo of the venue where you experienced your first live show. Each garment at Transplant Vintage is a work of art, meticulously chosen to evoke nostalgia and resonate with the passionate love for vintage music and style.

Review:

“The dress is absolutely stunning and in great condition. It was wrapped beautifully with a lovely note. It got to me super fast. The measurements were accurate. I found the perfect wedding dress - and it fits great! Thank you so much!” - Calaudia      

Six Taste Food Tours

Owner: Sally Tiongco ʼ04

Location: Los Angeles

Phone: 213-798-4749

Website: https://www.sixtaste.com/

Email: info@sixtaste.com

Social: @SixTaste

About:

Our passion is food, fun and exploration. Our knowledgeable and irresistibly cool tour guides take you on a three- to four-hour historical and cultural stroll through Los Angeles while giving you a taste of the diverse dishes this city offers. Six Taste offers location-themed food tours that feature generous samples from four to seven of the best and most unique restaurants in each neighborhood.

Review:

“SixTaste was a great group activity! I enjoyed hanging out with Sally from the Valley and learning more about her personal experiences growing up in Los Angeles and how it related to each food destination. Everyone on our food journey was very nice and accommodating to our entire team. I look forward to participating in another food tour. Thanks Sally for making our corporate outing a success! You Rock!” - Brittany S.

F45 Training Arts District

Owner: Paul Ohshima ʼ98

Location: 300 S Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90013

Phone: 310-951-1896

Website: https://f45training.com/studio/artsdistrict/

Email: artsdistrict@f45training.com

Social: @f45_training_artsdistrict

About:

Functional training is the engagement in exercises that mimic or recreate everyday movement. These types of exercises typically involve the use of your full body and multiple muscle groups. This style of training builds and sculpts lean, functional muscle and all can be found at F45 Training. The fixed, 45-minute duration workouts exist to provide a timing structure to maximize our members' growth and progress. Our daily workouts vary the amount of exercise stations, the work time / rest time ratio and the number of repetitions through the "exercise circuit" of each day. This provides a challenging workout for our clientele that is always evolving and never the same.

Review:

“I really love this gym. It has quickly become the favorite part of my days and it is something that I look forward to. I started off dreading my life after these workouts, nearly passing out the first few classes I attended, but after a month of going consistently, I was hooked. I decided to take the plunge and commit to a membership because it's so close to me and super convenient, sometimes I sign up within minutes of the class start time. The workouts challenge and push me to grow stronger than I have been in a long time. The trainers are great and very personable, constantly pushing and motivating everyone to dig deep and get that one more rep in.” - Stephen L.

Edelweiss Flower Boutique

Owner: Elizabeth Seiji ʼ85

Location: 1722 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA  90405

Phone: 310-633-8459

Website: https://www.edelweissflower.com/

Email: edelweissadmin@verizon.net

Social: @edelweissflowerboutique

About:

A Santa Monica florist with international, national and local award-winning designers, Edelweiss Flower Boutique has served the greater Los Angeles area for over 25 years. We're a family-run business and love serving our neighborhood.

Review:

“I have been using Edelweiss for the past few years to purchase my yearly Thomas Kinkade Christmas Village bouquet. They do such an amazing job on the arrangement and everyone in the store is so nice. They always go out of their way to chat with me and make me feel at home when I'm in the store. They have become my go-to floral shop!” - Nicholas M.

The Hängar

Owner: Corinne D. Weber ʼ99

Location: 2408 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405

Phone: 310 - 392 - 6111

Website: https://thehangarla.com/

Email: thehangar.la@gmail.com

Social: @thehangarla

About:

An eclectic mix of new furniture and one-of-a-kind items, home decor, home accessories, original art and a vintage clothing annex.

Review:

“Okay, this store is seriously to die for! The owner, Corrine, is seriously a day of sunshine. This store is filled with love and thoughtful pieces. She has introduced me to so many amazing pieces of unique Bohemian chic furniture. Her art is also to die for and the artist came directly to our home to hang it! Corrine is so warm and kind and I am grateful I found this beautiful shop.” - Jennifer Y.

Artsy Voiceprint

Owner: Taline Levonian ʼ98

Services: E-Commerce

Website: https://artsyvoiceprint.com/

Email: support@artsyvoiceprint.com

Social: @artsyvoiceprint

About:

Artsy Voiceprint creates personalized soundwave art gifts from the memorable sounds in your life. Whether it's the big moments or the everyday "I love you." We take a favorite song, a special voice message, your baby's heartbeat in utero, or a dog's bark and turn it into a one-of-a-kind and meaningful art.

Review:

“I recently ordered a gift for my friend's 30th wedding anniversary. The product selection was fantastic, offering a range of options suitable for a milestone celebration. The website was user-friendly, making the ordering process a breeze. I appreciated the attention to detail in the product descriptions, helping me choose the perfect gift. The delivery was prompt, When my friend opened the gift, their faces lit up with joy. The quality of the product exceeded my expectations – it was not just an item; it was a cherished keepsake. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to make special moments even more extraordinary. Thank you for contributing to the joy of this milestone celebration!” - Bon D.

Cotton Candy Queens

Owner: Samantha Safari (Smitley) ʼ20

Location: Chattanooga, TN

Phone: 423-309-2481

Website: https://cottoncandyqueens423.com/

Social: @cottoncandyqueens423

About:

We take pride in offering fresh, flavorful cotton candy in a variety (many, many, many) gourmet flavors, including dye-free organic and sugar-free options!  We enjoy live spinning and creating personalized, prepackaged options to suit your needs!

Review:

“Cotton candy queens did my daughter's third birthday party and were absolutely amazing!

The kids LOVED it and so did the adults. They were so sweet and creative with the flavors. An absolute hit for any party!” - Chelci L.

Jurassic Gallery

Owner: Danael Karlsson ʼ13

Services: E-commerce

Website: https://jurassicgallery.com/

Social: @jurassicgallery

About:

Jurassic Gallery was created by a family who love fossils, meteorites, and the natural beauty that comes from Earth. Their vision is to make authentic dinosaur fossils, meteorites and jewelry available to anyone. They are a small family business that has participated in the legal fossil excavation and preparation business over the last 20 years. They have sold full dinosaur skeletons, skulls and parts such as horns, feet, claws and other bones. They take great care in sourcing the sites they work and the bones they buy, as to abide by the country’s and international laws of collecting and reselling.

Review:

“I've only ever come across very few naturally prismatic shaped tourmalines as high quality as this in the many years I've been collecting. The pictures truly don't do this piece justice and I'm surprised no one has jumped on this sooner! I've been searching for an amazing Black Tourmaline pendant for a very long time - trying to stay away from those cookie-cutter pendants - and I've finally found an epic piece to wear. Thank you so much for the fast shipping and secure packaging. Love the packaging materials used.” - Kira

***

To submit a Bruin-owned business for future consideration, please send a note to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.

All Bruin-Owned Business Articles

• Bruin-Owned Restaurants Part 4
• Bruin-Led Businesses: Nonprofits
• Books by Bruins: Summer Reading
• Books by Bruins - LGBTQ Stories
• Books by Bruins - Health and Wellness
• Bruin-Owned Businesses: Tech
• Books by Bruins - Stories About Women
• Books by Bruins - L.A. Stories
• Bruin-Owned Businesses: Gift Ideas 4
• Books by Bruins - Vol. II
• Bruin-Owned Beverage Businesses 2
• Bruin-Owned Businesses: Fitness and Wellness 3
• Books by Bruins
• Bruin-Owned Businesses: Gift Ideas 3
• Bruin-Owned Restaurants Part 3
• Bruin-Owned Businesses: Fitness and Wellness 2
• Bruin-Owned Photography Part Two
• Bruin-Owned Businesses: Gift Ideas 2
• Bruin-Owned Photography
• Bruin-Owned Art Galleries and Collectives
• Bruin-Owned Restaurants Part 2

• Bruin-Owned Gift Ideas
• Bruin-Owned Fitness and Wellness Businesses
• Bruin-Owned Event-Planning Businesses
• Bruin-Owned Apparel Businesses
• Bruin-Owned Beverage Businesses
• Bruin-Owned Restaurants

Recent Articles

Healing the Wounds of War

U

CLA’s Operation Mend is dedicated to improving the quality of life for wounded service members, veterans and their families. It is the only program in the nation dedicated to plastic and reconstructive surgery, and medical and psychological treatment for post-9/11 military service members. The program has helped more than 850 patients and 450 caregivers at UCLA Health’s top-ranked medical facilities with world-class experts and the latest in medical technology.

Operation Mend warrior Misty Rose Sow was inspired by her family’s military service to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. She served as an Aircraft Guidance and Control Specialist with the 552nd AGS and the 71st Rescue Squadron during Operation Enduring Freedom. By the end of more than three years of service, Misty's mental health was in crisis. She said, “I had so much trauma stored in my body, it felt like the physical body could barely contain the buried emotions, and the body itself was having challenges to function at even 30 percent."

A fellow veteran told her about UCLA’s Health’s Operation Mend program. At UCLA, a holistic approach that blends Eastern and Western medicine resonated with Misty as she began her healing journey. Misty said, "There are stages of healing after trauma, and I used to believe it was surviving, existing and living; I had no idea thriving was even possible until Operation Mend.”

The program was born when Ronald Katz and his late wife, Maddie, both Bruins, were watching a news report about Marine Corporal Aaron Mankin, who was burned on more than 25 percent of his body when his vehicle drove over an improvised explosive device in Iraq. Inspired by his story of resilience, the couple decided they needed to find a way to help.

Operation Mend at UCLA was launched in 2007 through this vision and the couple’s generosity. UCLA brought together stakeholders including Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide medical, surgical and psychological treatment to post-9/11 veterans and service members injured in the line of duty. An inventor and entrepreneur, UCLA recently honored Katz with the Fiat Lux Award for his philanthropic giving and volunteer service to the university.

Operation Mend helps to eliminate barriers to treatment and provides services free of charge to qualified patients, as well as providing travel and lodging for warriors and their families. The program receives no financial support from government agencies and there are no co-payments, cost or authorization requirements for care at UCLA. To continue this important work, Operation Mend has received approximately $75 million from more than 5,000 donor contributions.

Corporal Mankin became Operation Mend’s first patient. To provide extra care and support, Todd Katz ʼ83 and his wife, Dana, created the Operation Mend Buddy Family Program. The program matches warriors with local individuals or couples, who offer social support, arrange outings, share meals, and help the warrior and their caregivers through the process. The Katz family not only created the program, but together with their children, they served as the first “buddy family” for Corporal Mankin.

This hands-on opportunity for volunteers to make a meaningful difference in an injured person’s recovery is rewarding for everyone involved. Dana Katz told UCLA, “It's been a great thing to be a part of over all these years. To watch people connect, watch people heal and get back to life."

The Katz family continues to be deeply involved in ensuring Operation Mend achieves its goals. Ron and Maddie’s sons, Todd and Randy Katz, together with their families, established the Ronald A. Katz Center for Collaborative Military Medicine at UCLA in 2013. The program furthers the work of Operation Mend by building partnerships between the University and the U.S military to address the unique challenges of caring for wounded veterans.

UCLA has a longstanding commitment to supporting veterans and service members, and has been U.S. News and World Report’s No. 1 Public University for Veterans seven years in a row. This past November, Chancellor Block along with health care professionals and leaders from UCLA Health joined Operation Mend patients and their families to march in the New York City Veterans Day Parade. In his message to the UCLA community he said, “America’s Veterans reflect an extremely diverse group of backgrounds and identities, but they are bound together by their selfless service to our nation. This Veterans Day, let us honor them and take inspiration from the example they set.”

Operation Mend gives wounded service members a chance to rewrite their future. U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Darius Johnson was severely wounded in Afghanistan, suffering burns to 30 percent of his body, a traumatic brain injury, punctured lung, broken jaw and severe arm injury. He came to Operation Mend through a friend’s referral, and was treated for his physical injuries. He also completed the Intensive Treatment Program for Post-Traumatic Stress. Today, Darius is married and pursuing a master’s degree. He says, "The program gave me the tools to accept that what happened wasn't my fault; it was beyond my control. You can't do this stuff on your own, and you can't do it halfway."

For more info, visit uclahealth.org/programs/operationmend.

Recent Articles

Timeless Tailgaters

O

ne of America’s greatest pastimes is the college football tailgate party. It’s a tradition like no other. The atmosphere is rife with school spirit, the savory smell of food on the grill fills the air, and laughter and music can be heard all around. The Rose Bowl Fun Zone in Lot H has become the gathering place for real Bruin fans, where friends become family, and families pass down a time-honored tradition to succeeding generations. This is where the die-hards come to live it up.

Set against the backdrop of a perfect Southern California day, the highly-anticipated Homecoming game against the Colorado Buffaloes and Coach Prime (Deion Sanders) brought Bruin Nation out in full force. For brothers Richard ʼ79 and Gary ʼ81 Bacio, this has been a family affair dating back to 1965 when their father first brought them to UCLA games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, when they were only nine and six years old, respectively. Richard recalled that the tailgates started with their parents and their friends, until he and his brother came of age and kept the tradition going, When the Rose Bowl became the home of UCLA Football in 1982, they were able to secure their prime tailgate location next to the Alumni Band, and they became a staple in this tight-knit community. He said, "To put it in perspective, I have not missed a Bruin home game since October 1978, which was my senior year at UCLA." Regardless of the team’s record in the standings, you can always expect to find the Bacio brothers, along with their wives, friends and children, spending their fall Saturdays at their favorite spot. "What makes tailgating special to me is all the great people I’ve met through the years. Most of those lifelong friends I have tailgated with for over 35 years! In fact, we say that we are all 'family.' What we all share, like a family, is our love of UCLA and, specifically, UCLA Football."

Not too far away, at the other end of the row of blue and gold canopies was a large crowd of mixed-age Bruins at the Kappa Sigma Bruins tailgate. Hosted by the fraternity’s advisor for the L.A. region, Mark Anderson ʼ80, this tent was alive with energy along with food and a beverage offered to Kappa Sigma members and guests free of charge. The tent hosts anywhere from 25 to 75 people each game, which includes Kappa Sigma alumni, current undergrad members, sometimes their parents and occasionally a sorority from UCLA. Anderson has been tailgating for over 43 years. He started with four people, a few lawn chairs, some tables, snacks and coolers, and later added canopies, flagpoles and a barbecue. They originally set up next to the alumni band to support them and enjoy their spirit and music and have stayed next to them the entire time.

Across the way from the Kappa Sigma tailgate was a row of 10 Bruin tents, each with different decorations, food offerings and cultural makeup. According to Desarie Martinez, host for one of the tents, this was a blended family that’s been coming together to tailgate at the same location for over 32 years. They shared food, played games and laughed out loud over drinks. It began with Oscar McCullar and his wife around 35 years ago, and the trail of tailgate tents only grew. Despite many of them not having graduated from UCLA, their love for the school is undeniable. Oscar’s 36-year-old grandson, Rich McCullar Jr., has been tailgating with the family since he was four and even sports an intricate tattoo of his grandfather, Oscar, wearing a Rose Bowl shirt on his left arm. His father Rick McCullar summed up their dedication, “It’s all about love and family. That’s why we come here year after year no matter how the Bruins are doing.” 

Situated next to the Alumni Band, there’s a group of Bruins who specialize in the food served at their tailgates. On this day, they were frying up a pair of steaks on the grill paired with some good wine from Strasburg, France. Other days, depending upon the time of the game, they’ve served paella, gourmet pizza and tamales for breakfast. Ed Alvarez ʼ70, Anna Magini ʼ74, M.N. ʼ77, Gary Phillips, Cert. ʼ91, and his wife Nancy, have been tailgating since 1988, a tradition that began with Danny Gant who was with the Santa Clarita Bruins. They’ve traveled to away games, attended tailgates at other schools, and they’re convinced there’s no better place than the party at the Rose Bowl. Gary said, “You can’t beat the weather, the gorgeous mountains in the background, the grass under your feet and the band playing next to you. What’s not to love?”

The love for UCLA is apparent at every Rose Bowl tailgate. Generations of Bruins, whether by degree or fandom, showcase the rich diversity of the Bruin community, bringing with them the spirit of friendship and sharing of food and drink and good times. With music blaring, drinks flowing, flat screens showing the day’s football highlights, and tailgate games like foosball, cornhole and beer pong underway, these parties are a Bruin tradition like no other.

Recent Articles

Bruin Creative Writing Stories

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ast September, we announced a creative writing assignment with a simple premise: In less than 500 words, tell us a story that begins with "I found a hidden door in Kerckhoff and it took me..." Several Bruin creatives had fun with it and submitted these stories that capture the imagination. Can you guess which was generated by A.I.?

Shoshi Buge, M.A. ʼ02

Aletta Cooke ʼ19

Dulcinea del Toboso, M.A. ʼ98

Darlene Gaston, MBA ʼ82

Charlene Gupta, J.D. ʼ96

Hon Hoang ʼ14

Anthony Izaguirre ʼ73

Delia Mizrahi, First Year Student

Deborah Rapaport Ishida, M.D. ʼ69

Nick Todd ʼ85, M.A. ʼ87

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Bruins for Life: A Gathering of Bruin Football Alumni From All Eras

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certain camaraderie is forged through competition.

Through victories, defeats, home games, road games and practices, memories among coaches and teammates are formed on and off the playing field each season, and last long after the stadium lights shut off. Given UCLA’s storied history of success in athletics, it comes as no surprise that Bruins from each of its 25 varsity programs have built and maintained friendships over the years.

Last September, generations of coaches and players from UCLA’s football program had a chance to reunite and reinforce their camaraderie at an inaugural reunion hosted by the Bruin Varsity Club aptly titled Bruins for Life: A Gathering of Bruin Football Alumni From All Eras.

“Kenny Easley and his desire to reunite UCLA football players, not just his teammates, but all players, was the impetus for this event,” said Bruins for Life Committee event organizer, two-time Emmy Award-winning television producer, and former Bruin standout linebacker Raymond Bell ʼ78. “This reunion was about Bruins, friendship, sweat and grit from players of all eras. We’re brothers, and when Kenny expressed the desire for us to put this event on, we went for it.”

Kenny Easley was regarded as one of the nation's best defenders, playing free safety for the Bruins from 1977 to 1980. His No. 5 jersey is one of nine Bruin retired numbers. Following a prolific career in the NFL, Easley was the sixth Bruin to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. In 1991, he was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame and the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame (College Hall of Fame).

After nearly three months of planning thanks largely to a committee led by Easley, Bell, John Sciarra ʼ76, Frank Stephens ʼ84 and others, with the assistance of Bruin Varsity Club Director, Sam Glick, UCLA football players of all generations made their way back to Westwood and Pasadena for a time of reunion and reflection.

The two-day event began the morning of Friday, Sept. 15, with UCLA football alumni guests attending that day’s football practice at the Wasserman Football Center. Here, football alumni had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the team and connect with the current generation of Bruin athletes. 

That evening, 200 attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception and dinner banquet inside the Centennial Ballroom at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center. It featured a UCLA Football highlight reel and guest speakers such as former Bruin Head Coach Dick Vermeil and Nicole Donahue ianni, daughter of the late Terry Donohue ʼ67, M.S. ʼ77, UCLA’s winningest football coach.

“A reunion like this means that the time invested in these young people was worth it. They’ve developed into great, mature people today,” said Coach Vermeil. “We had the turnout that we did because our players care about each other and care about the program.”

From 1974 to 1975, Vermeil compiled an overall record of 15-5-3 and led the Bruins to their first Pac-8 Championship in a decade. His time in Westwood was highlighted by UCLA’s 1976 Rose Bowl Game appearance where the Bruins upset No. 1-ranked Ohio State 23-10, a universally held crowd-favorite memory for many in attendance at the reunion.

Echoing Vermeil’s sentiment, former UCLA running back Jonathan Franklin ʼ12 commented, “It’s great to be back together. We’re a brotherhood, and if we can get a chance to be together and support the program, especially with all it's done for us, we need to take it.”

Franklin played for the Bruins for four years, setting a school record for career rushing yards (4,403) along the way. Since his time in Westwood, Franklin had a brief professional playing career with the Green Bay Packers and now works for the Los Angeles Rams in community and external relations.

The next day, UCLA football alumni were invited to watch the UCLA vs. North Carolina Central football game at the Rose Bowl. Attendees toured the newly-opened California High School Hall of Fame and the 1922 Locker Room at the stadium, attended the Wooden Athletic Fund’s Then Now Forever Pregame Tailgate and sat with other participants to watch the Bruins cruise to a 59-7 victory over the Eagles. Notably, UCLA football alumni were recognized on the field at the end of the first quarter and were even personally greeted by Coach Chip Kelly and members of the coaching staff.

“Having the opportunity sit on the committee and see this weekend come together is really rewarding,” said Frank Stephens. “This was a big opportunity to come back and share what everyone has been doing. It’s like reuniting with long-lost brothers. We were on the field battling with each other and to come back has been special.”

In only three seasons with the Bruins, Stephens' tenacious play has still ranked him 10th overall in career tackles (313), 12th in career sacks (19) and 20th in career tackles for a loss (31). Since his time in Westwood, he’s enjoyed playing football professionally, working for UCLA Athletics in both administrative and coaching positions for over 16 years, coaching at the high school and collegiate levels, and other opportunities within restaurant management. 

The event’s youngest-attending alumnus, Paco Perez ’19, saw the weekend as a great opportunity to connect with Bruin greats from all generations and see what his future holds after football.

“I was inspired to attend to get inside the heads of UCLA legends and see what life could look like ahead of me. I’ve already been able to take a lot of my lessons learned at UCLA and use them in my career.” Since graduating, Perez has enjoyed careers in both HVAC and aerospace. 

Looking ahead, organizers look to continue this reunion, build support for the football program through its alumni and strengthen their gridiron-based camaraderie for years to come.

“To have a Bruins for Life event encompassing all eras is pretty magnificent,” said Bruin quarterback great John Sciarra ʼ76. “I think the next event that we do, we’ll have over 400 participants, and we’ll probably be back within two years. To be able to catch up with teammates and meet players from all generations is a remarkable opportunity.”

John Sciarra was an All-America quarterback and an award-winning scholar while at UCLA from 1972 to 1975. After graduation, he played two years for the British Columbia team in the CFL, then six years in the NFL (1978-1983) for the Philadelphia Eagles, leading the league in punt returns in 1979. Sciarra was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994. Following his football career, he enjoyed a career in business and retirement services.

Raymond Bell is optimistic for future reunions. “We’re thankful that UCLA came on board to help get this event off the ground. Everyone came forward to get this thing going and move it forward, and we look forward to seeing it grow in the coming years.”

While it is yet to be determined when the next reunion will take place, the alumni of UCLA’s football program will continue to hold on to the memories and friendships made both on and on the field. After all, they are Bruins for life.

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All UCLA football alumni are welcome to attend practice at the Wasserman Football Center and receive two (2) complimentary tickets to every UCLA Football game at the Rose Bowl. Tickets can be claimed at Will Call outside Gate B at the Rose Bowl. Visit the Bruin Varsity Club for more information.

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Pilipino Bruins

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ilipino Bruins have played an essential role in cultivating a vibrant and diverse UCLA community since the University's earliest days. Students, staff and faculty have championed, educated and celebrated the Pilipino experience to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment.

(Note: Pilipino and Filipino are used interchangeably in this article and mean the same thing. Philippine locals use Pilipino because there is no phonetic equivalent to the letter "F" in the Philippine Islands’ indigenous languages.) 

Trailblazers

In 1898, America claimed the Philippines as a colony following the Spanish American War. Pilipinos became American nationals who could migrate freely, but were excluded from citizenship. Students who excelled academically were encouraged to become pensionados and study at U.S. universities with the understanding they would return to the Philippines to teach or work in government. In UCLA’s 1927 yearbook, you can find their photos as members of the Filipino Students Association.

Pilipino Americans face unique challenges. The community has developed its own ways of supporting younger generations and ensuring their success. At UCLA, this support takes the form of mentorship, advocacy and sharing the importance of family, food and music. 

One early UCLA student, Helen Agcaoili Summers Brown ʼ37, M.A. ’38, was born in Manila and moved with her family to Pasadena. Brown had a 30-year career as a Los Angeles Unified School District teacher and counselor, where she advocated for cultural diversity awareness. With no resources available, she began documenting and preserving Pilipino American stories, building a library of books, pamphlets, newsletters and newspaper clippings. Affectionately called “Auntie Helen," when she retired, she brought her library to the community. The Pilipino American Reading Room and Library (PARRAL) opened in 1985 as the first library in the United States to focus on the Pilipino American experience.  

In the early 1900s, many Pilipinos left their homeland in search of better economic opportunities and settled in California’s Central Valley and the Pacific Northwest where they worked in agriculture and faced widespread racism. Flora Arca Mata ʼ40 was an early Bruin who broke barriers as Stockton’s first Asian American full-time teacher. She attended UCLA with the financial help of an older sister who worked as a farmworker. Unable to find a teaching job in California, she and her husband moved to the Philippines. Mata recalled in an interview, “Why is it that America would educate the minority and not give them an opportunity to use this education?” Returning to Stockton after WWII, she was hired as a substitute and then a full-time teacher. Her experience and tenacity paved the way for future generations.

During the turbulent Sixties, a student movement emerged at UCLA as activists envisioned an education that would reflect their cultures and experiences. Off campus, the 1965 Delano Grape Strike revolutionized the farm labor movement in America. At great personal risk, the strike started with 800 Pilipino farmworkers affiliated with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee. They were joined by Cesar Chavez and the National Farmworkers Association who called for a grape boycott and what began as a labor dispute became a five-year struggle for civil rights. It wasn’t until 2013 that Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 123, requiring the State curriculum to include the contributions of Pilipino Americans to the labor movement. 

A generation later, John Delloro ’94, M.A. ’96, taught popular UCLA courses on Asian American and Pacific Islander labor organizing and leadership. A well-known student leader and activist at UCLA, he worked to save Tagalog language classes and was part of the campaign for Pilipino American studies that led to the establishment of the current Pilipino studies minor. He made a profound impact as a co-founder of the Pilipino Workers Center in Los Angeles and became one of the youngest presidents of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO. 

Often you may find family connections among UCLA Pilipino students. Melissa Jamero ʼ11, M.A. ʼ15, is the granddaughter of Herb Jamero and grandniece of Peter Jamero. She is Senior Fund Manager at UCLA Rolfe/Campbell Humanities Group. Peter Jamero, M.S.W. ’57, and Herb Jamero, M.S.W. ʼ58, were trailblazers in higher education, earning master's of social work degrees from the Luskin School of Public Affairs. Peter was raised on a Filipino farmworker camp operated by his parents. He wrote “Growing Up Brown: Memoirs of a Filipino American” and “Vanishing Filipino Americans: The Bridge Generation.”

Meg Thornton received the 2012 UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association Royal Morales Community Achievement Award. She is the student and community engagement coordinator for the Asian American Studies Center. She says, “Folks like Uncle Pete were instrumental in building a social services network of Asian Americans to do advocacy work at the local state and the national level. They educated the policymakers and organized for more funding.”

Student Advocacy

Student activists transformed higher education, demanding courses that would reflect the experiences of underrecognized communities. Inspired by the student strike at San Francisco State in 1968 that won the first College of Ethnic Studies in the U.S., UCLA students advocated for the establishment of the Asian American Studies Center in 1969, along with the Bunche Center, Chicano Studies Research Center and American Indian Studies Center. The Asian American Studies Center is one of the longest-running research centers of its kind in the country.

In commemoration of its 50th anniversary, the Center is recording oral histories with some of its 50 community founders. The Collective Memories Project will serve as a major resource and historical document. Jesse Quinsaat, J.D. ʼ76, was a student activist who compiled the groundbreaking “Letters in Exile; An Introductory Reader on the History of Pilipinos in America,” the result of a need among UCLA Pilipino students to investigate their little-known history. 

This era also saw the founding of UCLA’s Mother Organizations in response to the underrepresentation of students from historically marginalized communities. Samahang Pilipino was founded in 1972 to focus on the needs of Pilipino students. Florante Peter Ibanez, M.L.I.S., M.A. ʼ06, helped establish the group while working at the UCLA Asian American Studies Center. Ibanez is a member of the “Bridge generation” that followed the early immigrants, called Manongs. Samahang Pilipino’s song “One Family” celebrates the bonds between generations.

Samahang Pilipino began advocating for more Pilipino representation at UCLA. Casimiro U. Tolentino ʼ72, J.D. ʼ75, was a law school student and one of Samahang’s founding members. In his efforts to learn more about Pilipino history, he created and taught a class called “The Pilipino American Experience in California.”

Samahang Pilipino Cultural Night (SPCN) has shared the cultural experiences of Pilipino and Pilipino Americans since 1978. Using dance and dramatic role play, the event has also been an opportunity to address the importance of Pilipino representation on campus. In a landmark accomplishment that paved the way for others, SPCN was the first student-run cultural night to perform at UCLA's Royce Hall. 

Students formed the Pilipino Recruitment and Enrichment Project (PREP) in 1979 to address barriers to higher education. UCLA students use their own experiences and insight to better equip young people for college success. 

Breaking Barriers in Athletics

Raymond Townsend ʼ78 overcame stereotypes to become the first Pilipino American in the NBA. Part of legendary Coach John Wooden's 1975 UCLA national championship basketball team, he was a first-round pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 1978 NBA draft, where he helped establish the NBA’s Pilipino Heritage Night, which continues to be celebrated today.

Decades later, Kyla Ross ʼ21 served as an undergraduate assistant coach for UCLA gymnastics. Ross made history as the first female gymnast ever to win an Olympic, World and NCAA Championship and the only gymnast in UCLA history to win all four individual NCAA event titles. A member of the 2012 "Fierce Five" Olympic team, she has received 22 perfect 10s. 

Today’s Pilipino students are using their success to make a difference and continuing the tradition of lifting up the next generation. Devon Mallory ʼ21 broke barriers for underrepresented dancers as the first male member of the UCLA Dance Team. A first-generation Pilipino Black American, Mallory is now teaching others as the coordinator and lead instructor for the Las Vegas Raiderettes.

Educating the Youth

An engaging and illuminating account of Pilipino American history was shared in the popular "Pilipino American Experience" course by community scholar and activist Royal Morales from 1983 to 1996. Affectionately known as "Uncle Roy," he turned his classes into events as he brought history to life through stories, music and popular weekend field trips.

Morales addressed problems among Pilipino youth and co-founded Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA). UCLA Pilipino alumni pay tribute to his legacy with the annual Royal Morales Community Achievement Award, presented to those who contribute to improving the UCLA Pilipino community.

Around this time in 1985, Helen Brown was opening her library and establishing the Pamana Foundation, a nonprofit designed to support the library and its activities. Among the incorporators were Brown, Tania Azores, M.A., Ph.D. ’87, the first at UCLA to teach the Tagalog language in 1992, and Brad Bagasao ʼ73 and Dr. Herminia Meñez Coben, who taught Pilipino Folklore and Society.

Tagalog classes were scheduled to be discontinued in the late 1990s until students stepped in to advocate for their importance. UCLA now offers both lower and upper division classes and a minor in Asian languages. The efforts of students, staff and faculty have been vital to many milestones, including the 2009 addition of the Pilipino studies concentration. 

Outreach, Retention and Support

In 1988, in a setback for the UCLA Pilipino community, the University determined that Pilipinos had achieved “parity,” with the rate of incoming freshmen matching the public high school graduation rate. This decision to exclude Pilipinos from affirmative action had a lasting impact and resulted in a 31 percent drop in enrollment.

Dismayed by the University’s decision, UCLA’s Pilipino community responded by creating their own outreach and retention programs. Samahang Pilipino Education and Retention (SPEAR) emphasized the need for “bayanihan,” students supporting other students. In 2000, as enrollment among Pilipino students continued to decrease, Samahang Pilipino Advancing Community Empowerment (SPACE) was established to promote access to higher education through peer tutoring, internships, conferences and field trips. In 2009, the Pilipino Council of Mabuhay Collective at UCLA brought the many organizations together.

To strengthen the bonds formed in college, UCLA’s Pilipino alumni, led by Corky Pasquil ’91, formed the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association (PAA). Pilipino alumni have built a community of Bruins to encourage academic and professional development and support students through mentorship, scholarship and networking.

To invest in Pilipino students, the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association awards the Lovell Sevilla Scholarship to a current Bruin who is working to improve the lives of others. PAA established more than a $200,000 scholarship endowment fund for deserving UCLA students. The scholarship honors Lovell Sevilla ʼ89, a counselor at the UCLA Honors program for over two decades and UCLA PAA Scholarship Director from 1995 to 2000, where she grew the program from one $500 scholarship a year to 10 or more scholarships totaling over $10,000 annually. 

PAA also hosts career panels, networking mixers, mentoring opportunities and social events to make an investment in professional development and personal growth. Through engaging with students, staff, faculty and alumni, they are building connections to create lasting change.

A.R. Mateo '07 is a UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association Board member, currently serving as their scholarship director. As a student, he participated in Spring Sing, UCLA Madrigals, UCLA Chorale and the Graduate Mentor Program. Last year, A.R. helped organize the first ever UCLA Basketball Pilipino Heritage Night. He says, “There's a sense of family and generations within the community. When you have representation it means a lot.” A portion of every ticket sold went to the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association for scholarship support.

His brother, Derek Mateo ʼ96, M.A. ʼ99, is a double Bruin and was among the first to graduate with an Asian American studies major. He co-founded the LCC Theatre Company with Randall Park ʼ97 and David Lee in 1995; more than 20 years later, it is the largest Asian American college theater group in the country. Derek, an active member of PAA, says, “We are one of the largest non-white communities in California, and we are an at-risk community. We are trying to support our students so that they can succeed.”

Pilipinos in Politics

Although there are more than four million Filipino Americans in the United States and 1.6 million in California, they have been underrepresented in politics, both local and national. Mark Pulido ʼ95 was the first Pilipino American to be elected student body president. With a bachelor's degree in history and Asian American studies, the former president of Samahang Pilipino went on to be elected the first Pilipino American mayor of Cerritos, California, in 2014.

In 2004, Ben Cayetano '68 became governor of Hawaii, the first Pilipino American to hold that title in any U.S. state. As lieutenant governor and then governor, Cayetano improved Hawaii’s educational system, including establishing a first-of-its-kind after-school program for elementary school latchkey children, based on his own childhood experience.

Jenny Punsalan Delwood ʼ06 once served as UCLA’s student body president and led a successful effort to incorporate holistic review into UCLA admissions policies. She currently serves as the deputy chief of staff for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, where she oversees constituent services, strategy, budget and more. 

The Stories Continue

The Department of Asian American Studies at UCLA was founded in 2004 and has become a national leader in promoting the study of the diverse experiences of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. The department is the largest of its kind in the country with more than 100 majors and minors, and offers over 70 Asian American studies courses.

The Asian American Studies Center is creating an open-access, comprehensive record of the Asian American and Pacific Islander experience. The AAPI Multimedia Textbook recently received a $10 million grant from the California Legislature. UCLA historian, Jean-Paul R. Contreras deGuzman, M.A. ʼ07, Ph.D. ʼ14, is among those working on the project. A past recipient of the UCLA Distinguished Teaching Award, he founded the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition to preserve the history of World War II incarceration of Japanese immigrants.

Building on a century of Pilipino experience and advocacy at UCLA, the Asian American Studies department launched the Pilipino studies minor in 2020. Lucy Mae San Pablo Burns, associate professor of Asian American studies, has been advocating for its creation and is holding informational sessions on the new program. Burns told UCLA, “We have yet to imagine the community that the minor will bring together. I’m excited to see how students are going to transform the minor and what they are going to do in it.”

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While this is the first Connect article on the contributions of Pilipino Bruins, it will not be the last. Share your thoughts or recommendations of other Pilipino Bruins or organizations making a difference to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.

For more information on the Pilipino Alumni Association or to support their scholarship efforts, visit https://alumni.ucla.edu/pilipino-alumni-association.

Special thanks to A.R. Mateo, Derek Mateo, Justine Ramos ‘20 and Meg Thornton for their time in sharing their knowledge with us for this article.

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UCLA Epicenter Connects Students With Businesses for a Win-Win

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his past summer, the UCLA Alumni Association became the new home for the UCLA Epicenter, further bolstering the Association's services to the UCLA community.

Founded in 2017, the Epicenter’s mission is “to augment students’ academic curriculum with project-based experiential learning in collaboration with industry partners.”

As Executive Director Raffi Simonian ’85 sees it, “The whole purpose of the Epicenter is to connect education to a career. They may earn a degree, but many do not know what to do with it. That’s where we come in.”

One way the Epicenter accomplishes this is through an intensive 10-week project-based experiential learning program, Innovation Challenge. This program is conducted in partnership with a variety of industries, ranging from tech to nonprofit organizations. To date, the Epicenter has partnered with and helped organizations such as Amazon Web Services, Slalom, Harman International and LA28 (the nonprofit committee planning the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games).

By partnering with these organizations, UCLA students are then provided opportunities to help industry leaders take on everyday challenges facing businesses today.

For example, to combat the concern of organizers about the declining viewership of the Olympic Games, a group of students designed the MedalUp app. Aimed at younger global audiences, it provides gamified experiences and competitions within close communities, allowing users to collect points and earn coupons and rewards from corporate sponsors. This idea won gold at the Spring 2023 Innovation Challenge and the product is now with Amazon Web Services, which will take it from concept to a fully developed product.

“That’s a big incentive for organizations to partner with us,” said Simonian. “We help solve their problem. Whether it's a social impact problem or other business problems, our students can provide feedback from their perspectives, increase engagement from other students, and even help develop actual products or services. We provide invaluable experience and exposure to connections and careers, and can even help students have a job lined up following graduation.”  

With the UCLA Alumni Association serving as the new home for the Epicenter, the opportunities to connect students with alumni have only expanded, adding to the Association’s extensive services through its Alumni Career Engagement office. The Epicenter now has a vast offering of pre-existing infrastructure resources to take advantage of, and as a result, is able to further service both current UCLA students and alumni for years to come.

“We want to connect alumni back to their alma mater, and part of that means making sure students can be hired by businesses run by Bruins,” said Simonian. “Our 10-week program is almost like a 10-week interview for some of our participants. We know our alumni may have business problems, and our current students may be able to solve them. These students are not only their future customers, but more importantly, they’re our future leaders.

“Through the Epicenter, alumni can help give back to the students. They [alumni] can either become coaches, speakers or mentors. Instead of reaching out to consulting firms to learn how to connect with younger generations, alumni and their businesses have bright UCLA students as a resource. They're helping the students gain experience. They're giving back to their school. And they're getting a solution to their business problem. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

For more information, including how to get involved, please visit the UCLA Epicenter website.

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Becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution With the Help of Latino Alumni

Photo Credit: Judy Baca ©2012, Gente del Maiz

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ith an unwavering commitment to its role as a public institution, UCLA's message is clear: building a campus that embraces and celebrates its Latinx communities isn't just a goal, but an imperative.

Chancellor Block recently announced the University's intention to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by 2025, in an effort to strengthen access and expand opportunities for UCLA’s Latino community. He shared, “As a public institution, UCLA has a heightened obligation to ensure that we are doing all we can to make sure this is a campus that truly welcomes members of our Latinx communities, honors their intellectual and cultural contributions and supports their success.” 

HSI designation would be an important step in a movement that started in the Civil Rights era to increase Latino enrollment and expand educational opportunities. Because of this activism, the Chicano Studies Research Center was established in 1969 to foster research and study of Chicano/Latino culture, history and contributions.

In 1993, students, faculty and community members engaged in protests, including a two-week hunger strike, to advocate for the establishment of Chicana and Chicano Studies at UCLA. In the ʼ90s, the Regents of the University of California passed SP-1 and SP-2, which was followed by California Proposition 209, to prohibit preferential treatment on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in higher education. And recently, the Supreme Court ended higher education race-conscious admissions.

Today, Latinos make up 40% of California’s population, the state’s largest ethnic group. This dynamic and diverse community is a major force in California and the nation. Hispanic and Latino students have historically been underrepresented in higher education, and their success is intricately linked to California’s future prosperity. However, many Latino students have faced systemic barriers to a high-quality education, and their high school graduation rate is below the national average.

HSI designation requires new strategies and broad community-based efforts to support and empower California’s future Latinx leaders. The UCLA Latino Alumni Association (ULAA) are a passionate group of Bruin volunteers who are committed to supporting UCLA's Latino alumni, students and friends, and are an active partner in ensuring UCLA reaches this ambitious goal. One of UCLA’s fastest growing alumni groups; they were named as UCLA Alumni’s Network of the Year in 2019 for their exceptional contributions to the UCLA community. 

Cesar Pacheco ʼ18, ULAA president and a commercial real estate professional, recognizes the group's unique position to bring people together. He says, “We’re a conduit for change. HSI is a University-wide movement, stretching across campus. We’re connecting with decision makers to increase our engagement and fundraising efforts.”

To be federally designated an HSI, 25% of students at the university must identify as Latinx. UCLA is currently at 22.2% Latino enrollment, as of fall 2022. With HSI designation, UCLA would receive federal grants to enhance educational programs for Latinx students, to the benefit of the entire campus community. HSI status has also been shown to enhance campus relationships among students, improve academic performance and raise graduation rates. But, as Chancellor Block reminds the community, enrolling greater numbers of Latinx students is not enough. He says, “UCLA also must enable these students to succeed by investing in academic and support infrastructure dedicated to their learning and growth.”

HSI designation requires not only meeting the enrollment numbers, but other requirements as well. Andres Snaider ‘88, ULAA university relations chair, says, “HSI is a rallying call. It’s a huge challenge, but it’s a huge opportunity as well. It emphasizes the priority of directing attention towards Latino students in all their dimensions ꟷ and how the University can best meet their needs.”

Snaider was a first-generation student and commuter who worked his way through UCLA. After graduating from law school, he became a business leader and entrepreneur. Recently, he successfully sold a company he had founded. The achievement presented an opportunity to give back to his community. He says, “I was able to make a difference in things I care about. My time at UCLA was a transformative experience for me.”

Snaider says, “It’s really hard to think of another organization [like ULAA] that has that kind of reach and that kind of commonality. It’s a huge network and there’s amazing potential to reach and make a difference for many people. What we do is help those students feel really connected to UCLA and all it has to offer.”

To invest in Latinx students, ULAA hosts career panels, networking and mentoring opportunities. ULAA’s Orgulloso mentorship program matches alumni with ULAA scholarship recipients and other Latinx students for one year, to help with professional development and personal growth. ULAA alumni share stories and provide insight from their personal experiences. Through engagement, they celebrate students and invest in the future generations. ULAA’s motto, "Hecho at UCLA," (made at UCLA) encapsulates the power of the college experience to create lasting change.

One example of a Bruin family making a difference in the lives of others are the Jaquez family — UCLA basketball players Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Gabriela Jaquez are the first brother and sister to make it to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the same school in the same season. This fall, Jaime will make his NBA debut, playing for the Miami Heat. The siblings, their parents and grandparents have been strong proponents of public education, academic achievement and personal excellence. The Jaquez Family Scholarship Fund will provide financial support for incoming freshman and transfer students at UCLA, and was launched at a recent event hosted by the UCLA Alumni Association, ULAA and UCLA Athletics.

Since it was founded in 1989, ULAA has awarded $1.5 million in scholarships to more than 800 students. ULAA president, Cesar Pacheco was able to attend UCLA with the help of financial support. He says the goal of providing scholarships to others unites alumni with a common cause. “I received a Blue and Gold Scholarship that made it possible for me to graduate from UCLA. Had it not been for those donors, I wouldn’t have been able to. Now I’m able to make a difference for other students financially and through volunteering my time and leadership.”

In 2022-23, ULAA raised a record-breaking $241,000, bringing them closer to their fundraising goal of a $1 million scholarship endowment. This included $36,130 from a successful Spark crowdfunding campaign. The board recently approved an ambitious four-year plan to distribute approximately $125,000 to 41 students, increasing their reach and impact. 

Jennifer Mora ʼ96 is vice president of ULAA. As a professional fundraiser, the work of raising scholarship support for UCLA’s Latinx students is close to her heart. Mora entered UCLA as a first-generation, non-traditional transfer student, who saw college as a transaction in her pursuit of a career. However, UCLA was more than a stepping stone on her career path. She says, “My experience taught me I was worthy and capable of a quality education. UCLA instilled in me a love for learning, so I describe myself as a lifetime learner. The opportunity to give back seemed the natural thing to do. There is nothing more exciting than to be able to help the organization with fundraising for scholarships for current UCLA students.”

UCLA’s HSI status will benefit the entire campus community. Denise Pacheco, M.A. ’04, Ph.D. ’11, is senior director of Diversity Programs and Initiatives for UCLA Alumni Affairs. She says, “The pursuit of becoming an HSI does not diminish UCLA’s equally important commitment to increasing representation for all students. When we become an HSI, it provides an infrastructure that will support the success of all students, and especially communities who are not appropriately represented on the campus. It's essential to emphasize that equity is about identifying what different communities need and how that contributes to the success of the whole.”

Looking toward the future, ULAA board members are enthusiastic about UCLA receiving HSI designation. Cesar Pacheco says, “The fact that the Chancellor is taking steps to become an HSI is indicative of the progress that’s already happening at UCLA. It is a bold move and requires real action. Through their action and our support it will happen for the betterment of the UCLA community and for Los Angeles.”

ULAA is continuing to build a strong presence on campus and beyond. Mora looks at the big picture through the frame of her personal experience. “It's exciting for me, because UCLA changed my life. It changed the trajectory of my family legacy and I believe everyone should have that opportunity. I think about all my family members who didn't have an opportunity to go to college, and the thought of being able to provide more access is long overdue. And I'm here to see it happen.”

As the culmination of their efforts, the HSI task force formed by Chancellor Block published Cultivating the Seeds of Change: Becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution, which provides more information about the history and process, as well as seven recommendations for achieving federal HSI designation. 

More information can also be found by watching EmPower Hour: UCLA Efforts to Become a Hispanic-Serving Institution, hosted by Diversity Programs and Initiatives under UCLA Alumni Affairs.

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Alumni who are interested in joining a committee, attending an event, making a donation, becoming a mentor ꟷ or any of the many ways UCLA Latino Alumni Association members are making a difference for UCLA students ꟷ can find more information here.

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Bruin-Owned Restaurants Part 3

A

s the summer sizzles, so should your food. We've compiled for you the third edition of select Bruin culinary businesses to tempt your taste buds and lure you to dine out in support of these UCLA alumni. Warning: the following images will make you hungry.

Contigo Latin Kitchen

Owner/Founder: Deborah Tenino ʼ92

Phone: 520-299-1540

Location: 3770 E. Sunrise Dr., Tucson, AZ 85718

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: eatatcontigo.com

Social: @contigolatinkitchen

About:

Contigo Latin Kitchen offers the best heirloom recipes in South America and Spain. Our menu combines vibrant flavors with the freshest ingredients available and our complex, multi-layered flavors leave diners surprised, delighted and always wanting more.

Review:

“We had a great time at Contigo Latin Kitchen. We sampled many of the tapas and my friend and I had the fish tacos which are so good, with the fish crisped to perfection. They are pet friendly and were so lovely to our little 5 lb Pomeranian Finley! We had an outdoor pet-friendly table on the patio that has a great view of the mountains on one side and a hotel, plus some people golfing, on the other. Service was lovely and friendly and prompt.” - V. V.

Blue Plate Oysterette

Owner/Founder: Jennifer Rush ʼ88

Phone: 310-576-3474

Location: 1355 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: blueplateoysterette.com

Social: @blueplateoysterette

About:

Having spent many years on the East Coast enjoying lobster rolls and clam shacks, Jenny Rush longed for this food in her hometown Santa Monica. BPO is committed to sourcing the best seafood from fishermen, purveyors and oyster farms around the world. Buying directly from fishermen and picking up daily at LAX ensures the best ocean-to-table experience.

Review:

“This was so good! The yellow tail sashimi with the green sauce was a perfect Asian-Baja mix, the touro sashimi basically melted in your mouth (and it didn't taste like metal!) and the holy trinity temaki was like a trio of flavors that basically took their time dancing on your tongue, acts one after the other, back to back, ‘til your head explodes from how genius an idea it is to have all these in one beautiful photogenic open face roll.” - Bry L.

Dulan's On Crenshaw

Owner/Founder: Greg Dulan (UCLA Extension)

Phone: 323-296-3034

Location: 4859 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90043

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: facebook.com/DulansOnCrenshaw

Social: @dulansoncrenshaw

About:

An iconic restaurant that first debuted in the '90s, Dulan's on Crenshaw Soul Food Kitchen is the home you can turn to for hearty meals, friendly staff and a strong sense of community. With our large portions, you can eat here for lunch and still have leftovers for dinner – that is if you can resist not eating every last bite. If you're planning an event and get a craving for our food, contact us for catering. We're always happy to know you enjoy the dishes we create and we can't wait to see you the next time you stop by for a taste of soul.

Review:

“The food is fresh and reminds me of the way my mom would cook when I was young. The staff was so professional and kind. And I really liked how the owner greeted my family and me to ask us if everything was okay. Great hospitality which is missing in so many places. So I will give this place a 10+ for the food and service." - Stephanie D.

n/naka

Owner/Founder: Carole Iida-Nakayama ʼ00

Phone: 310-836-6252

Location: 3455 Overland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034

Yelp Rating: 4.5 stars

Website: n-naka.com

Social: @nnakarestaurant

About:

The whole of a meal is as important as the sum of its parts. At n/naka, we are devoted to providing a unique and satisfying dining experience through our interpretation of kaiseki. This traditional Japanese culinary art form reflects the ever-changing rhythms of the earth by taking the freshest seasonal ingredients and presenting them in their most natural states. Using the very best ingredients we have access to is true kaiseki; we proudly serve vegetables from our organic garden built and maintained by our friends at Farmscape Gardens. We take great care in preparing a beautiful plate and believe that the more involvement we put into a meal – no shortcuts – the more connected we feel to the food and your experience of it. Through a meaningful balance of both traditional and modern techniques, Chef Niki Nakayama is committed to creating a meal that will engage your attention; it’s about enjoying the moment, the current offerings of the season, and ultimately, the food in front of you.

Review:

“I finally secured a spot to try n/naka! They've held two Michelin stars since 2019, and it was rated as one of the essential restaurants in L.A. It's totally worth the hype! The hospitality was professional and exceptional. Their attention to detail was amazing. Our main server Emily explained each dish thoroughly and shared a lot of her knowledge about sake, the local food scene and food in general with us. It made us feel so comfortable and at ease, which was a critical part of the kaiseki experience!” - Ya Y.

Echo

Owner/Founder: Matthias Gloppe Ext. Cert. ʼ07

Phone: +33-1-40-26-53-21

Location: 95 rue d'Aboukir, 75002 Paris, France

Yelp Rating: 5 stars

Website: echo-paris.com

Social: @echo.paris

About:

Silver Lake? Almost, but not quite. Echo is a “deli Californien” on Rue d’Aboukir, with food by Mailea Weger, an alumna of Gjusta and Gjelina in Los Angeles, and one of the latest signposts of the California dreaming that has seized Paris. They serve California-inspired burgers and wraps, plus desserts and breakfast, in a bright, casual space.

Review:

“Muah! Echo is my favorite café in Paris. I love the little hidden neighborhood it is tucked away into. It definitely has a Silver Lake vibe which reminded me greatly of home. The food is very delicate and the flavors are immaculate. The coffee was delicious and the staff was very informative and kind.” - Natalie L.

Hayato

Owner/Founder: Brandon Hayato Go ʼ00

Phone: 213-395-0607

Location: 1320 E 7th St., Suite 126, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Yelp Rating: 4.5 stars

Website: hayatorestaurant.com

Social: @hayatorestaurant

About:

Hayato is a place where we have the responsibility of showcasing the work of master craftspeople in many fields. Potters, fishmongers, carpenters, kimono makers, tea masters, sake brewers and countless other artisans are all part of the team to help us create a dining experience. Just as we have a duty to our guests, we also have a duty to those who devote their lives to the crafts that are the building blocks of a Japanese restaurant.

Review:

“I love love love love loooooovveee! My ultimate best *FAVE* in L.A.!!! I can't believe I never wrote a review other than the bento box. So unfortunately, he doesn't make those anymore but the dinner is amazeballs! Not only is the food incredible but the experience is awesome as well. Unlike a lot of other tasting menus, you will for sure leave stuffed. Every dish is beyond fresh and delicate. Definitely lives up to their Michelin 2 Star and I hope they'll get 3 soon.” - Helz M.

Toscana Brentwood

Co-Owner/Founder: Michael Gordon ʼ61

Phone: 310-820-2448

Location: 11633 San Vicente Blvd., Suite 100A, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: toscanabrentwood.com

Social: @toscanabrentwood

About:

Toscana is a neighborhood trattoria that celebrates the rustic, authentic, farm-to-table flavors of Northern Italy. For more than 30 years, we have stood tall on a corner in Brentwood and set the backdrop for special meals shared by generations of families, friends and neighbors, as well as elites from the worlds of entertainment, sports, fashion and our valued guests from around the globe. This is a place where every guest, whether famous or not, is treated like they’re a part of our family.

Review:

“Came here for dinner last Thursday night with my sister. We got reservations less than 24 hours before, luckily for 7:30 pm. They were definitely busy but we were seated on time. We shared a special salad that was arugula, peaches, goat cheese and endive. It was very good. My sister got a fish which I believe was a branzino, which she liked. I got the black truffle pizza, which was amazing!!! I hadn't been here in probably 10 years.  I barely go to Brentwood for dinner, but I definitely would come back and I highly recommend coming for a date night or a night out!” - Joya E.

Verde

Owner/Founder: Maris Manzano Ext. Cert. ʼ03

Phone: 808-320-7088

Location: 4454 Nuhou St., Suite 501, Lihue, HI 96766

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: verdehawaii.com

Social: @verdehawaii

About:

Verde Restaurant continually strives to celebrate the essence of local food and a vibrant community valuing the support of local farmers and businesses. We opened our original location in Kapaa back in 2008 and eventually moved to Lihue in 2017. We aim to practice being green by using locally grown, sustainable ingredients, supporting local businesses and using eco-friendly takeout products. We are also proud to use local Kauai beef and antibiotic-free, hormone-free chicken and pork. Most recently, we have been using tortillas as our platform to showcase what we can grow locally and sustainably here in Hawaii, such as ulu breadfruit tortillas and sweet purple potato haupia tortillas.

Review:

“So Kauai apparently has excellent Mexican restaurants, and Verde has got to be in the top 5. Located in one of the more modern commercial developments on Kauai, it feels like a place you'd find in a mainland shopping center, but the food is anything but run-of-the-mill. The mahi-mahi furikake tacos were the best fish tacos I've had, from the furikake tortillas to the cilantro-furikake mahi-mahi with their signature aioli and unagi sauce. I wanted to try the ube horchata, but they said they ran out because it had been so hot that day. Will have to go back to try!” - Therese H.

Love and Salt

Co-Founder: Sylvie Gabriele ʼ92

Phone: 310-545-5252

Location: 317 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: loveandsaltla.com

Social: @loveandsaltla

About:

Love & Salt is a story that begins with Café Pierre, a restaurant birthed by Guy Gabriele in 1977 to bring a taste of France to Los Angeles’ South Bay. While Café Pierre was a beloved part of the community for nearly 37 years, in 2014, Guy and his daughter Sylvie Gabriele, now the owner of Love & Salt, closed the restaurant to bring new life to the iconic space. Love & Salt is a philosophy: that food needs only two ingredients to be great. It’s a sensibility that informs the feeling in the restaurant and the dishes on the menu — Italian-inspired with Southern California soul. An approachable wine list and classic cocktail program similarly reflect the vibrant SoCal setting of the restaurant, located just steps from the Manhattan Beach pier.

Review:

“We came to Love and Salt got the first time tonight and I can't say enough about how great it is. First off, serving staff was oh-so-nice and patient with my 1-year-old daughter who threw up and then dumped a plate of pasta on the floor. Not only were they friendly but so attentive and helpful to us parents. The food was all very good. My wife loved her halibut, the mussels I had were amazing and the pasta bolognese was very good. There was a problem with my mom's pasta not being warm enough but the staff made it right. Great restaurant.” - Brian P.

Angelini Osteria

Owner/Co-Founder: Elizabeth Angelini ʼ79

Phone: 323-297-0070

Location: 7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: angelinibeverly.com

Social: @angeliniosteria

About:

Gino Angelini became the youngest chef in the region’s top hotels and restaurants where his fame continued to rise. During his tenure overseas, Gino co-founded Italy’s most popular gourmet magazine, served as president of the Association of Chefs Romagnoli and was appointed the Italian Vice Commissioner of the Euro-Toques International, an organization committed to safeguarding and promoting quality and authentic food within the European network. In October 2001, he opened Angelini Osteria, in the heart of Los Angeles. Since its opening, Angelini Osteria has become known as simply everyone’s favorite Italian restaurant in Los Angeles, winning over the city with unassuming and authentic dishes in a warm, intimate setting. Gino has grown his expanding culinary portfolio into the Angelini Restaurant Group alongside his wife and business partner Elizabeth Angelini.

Review:

“It was my first time visiting, and I thanked my friend who recommended this place for me! everything was delicious - I was enjoying them so much, forgot to take pictures – and the dessert, Affogato, was the best I've ever had. They make their own olive oil and it's the best. I got a bottle to take home. The servers were fast and kind, explained the menu very nicely; and the owner, who is actually serving the table with the rest of the crew, was very, very kind. Thank you!” - Evie J.

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To submit a Bruin-owned business for future consideration, please send a note to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.

All Bruin-Owned Business Articles

• Bruin-Owned Restaurants Part 3
• Bruin-Owned Businesses: Fitness and Wellness 2
• Bruin-Owned Photography Part Two
• Bruin-Owned Businesses: Gift Ideas 2
• Bruin-Owned Photography
• Bruin-Owned Art Galleries and Collectives
• Bruin-Owned Restaurants Part 2
• Bruin-Owned Gift Ideas
• Bruin-Owned Fitness and Wellness Businesses
• Bruin-Owned Event-Planning Businesses
• Bruin-Owned Apparel Businesses
• Bruin-Owned Beverage Businesses
• Bruin-Owned Restaurants

Bruin-Owned Articles

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